Is that what I think it is?

Since I was now the proud owner of the world’s most basic flip phone, I thought it might be a good idea to equip myself with things I might need while away from the house.

The first thing that came to mind was an old fashioned paper map. Yes, I still carry my old Pixel 6A with me for Google maps and the camera, but it’s starting to get a bit glitchy, and I’d like to be prepared. 

With complete undeserving confidence, I waltzed into my local gas station and asked where the maps were. The nice boy behind the cash register looked at me as though I just arrived from the past. “Erm, we don’t have those here.”

Of course they don’t! It’s 2025. They probably haven’t had paper maps for over a decade. 

Before my brain could comprehend what my mouth was saying, I then asked if he might know where maps were sold. Obviously the answer did not exist in that room, although I give him credit for not asking if there was a senior’s centre somewhere looking for me. 

Slightly deterred but never afraid to loudly voice my trials and tribulations on social media, I posted a story about my new hardship. Nearly immediately, a friend messaged saying they had maps at the mall, and he’d grab one for me. 

Success! I had used my phone to find someone who could get me a tool to use when I don’t have a phone, so I can live my life and write on my blog to help people get off their phones. 

This is perfectly sound logic. 

A few days later, after a relaxing long weekend, I walked into my friend’s work to retrieve the map. “Oh! I think he actually just left for lunch.” I frowned. I usually have terrible timing, and this was no exception.

“That’s okay, I’ll just give him a call”, I said, as I pulled out my flip phone.

Now, I hadn’t pulled this antiquated piece of technology out in public much before. It had only been about a month and one of the perks of having a phone that’s only talk and text is that you’re not constantly on it. As I opened the phone and put it to my ear, I was all of a sudden very aware of the people around me.

I felt my face get a bit warm, and an awkwardness enveloped me.

Oh my god.

Was this…embarrassment??

For the record, as a woman in her late thirties, I no longer embarrass easy. I don’t particularly care what most people think, something that’s proven in the attire I choose to wear while hunting for baked goods at Safeway. In fact, this morning at the office I spilled coffee down the front of my shirt and decided it added a little razzle dazzle to my outfit.

But here, in this car dealership filled with employees who were born after Y2K, that old, familiar feeling came back.

“This was a choice!” I wanted to shout. “I’m doing this for my mental health!” Also didn’t say that. “I could have a really nice smartphone if I wanted one!” Could I though?

My friend was, in fact, on lunch, and I kept talking to him as I walked back to my car. After saying goodbye, I sat for a moment and took in the very unexpected feeling I had just experienced. Of all the changes that come with switching over to a much simpler phone, I hadn’t foreseen this one. 

We know, at their core, that smartphones are fun, shiny toys marketed just like everything else. Not only is it crazy not to have one these days, some think it’s crazy not to have an iPhone, with countless memes circulating about the dreadful green check mark they receive when getting a text from an android user. Yes, smartphones can also be incredibly useful, but somewhere along the way they started eating up our time instead of helping us manage it. 

I chuckled on the drive home. The feeling of embarrassment, one that hadn’t visited in so long, was a refreshing reminder for why I’m doing this. Being connected 24/7 on the newest device being sold this year is not a requirement for a full life. For me, it impedes it. 

So, when my TCL Flip rings with one of the few pre-downloaded ring tones I can select from, I’ll proudly hold it to my ear.

My embarrassment will just have to get used to it.